Can you pull a trailer using an automatic?

[cheekywelshie]

Just wondering if anyone uses an automatic than a manual 4x4 to pulla trailer? Not sure whether it is to be avoided - but it seems quite a few of the later 4x4's are auto now?

Also does anyone know if you can do the trailer test in an automatic - i suspect not but...it would be useful to know!

Am only thinking about this as I'm recovering from a hip op and starting to drive an automatic temporarily until my hip recovers - but wondering when i change my car whether to get an auto instead.

 

[navaho]

Yes, friends of mine had an automatic 4x4 & it towed really really well. I do believe you can do your trailer test in it but it means it only covers you to tow with an automatic (im sure someone will correct me if im wrong).

 

[RutlandH2O]

No problem towing with an automatic 4x4.

 

[Marydoll]

Yep, i towed with an automatic jeep grand cherokee 4 litre for years and it was the best thing for towing ive had

 

[cm2581]

Yes you can tow with an auto but the towing capacity is often different to the manual version. Check the VIN plate on each vehicle. Sorry but no idea about the test question! Find a training or test centre near you and ask them.

 

[only_me]

You can take your trailer test in an automatic and be able to tow with a manual or auto, provided that you have your initial car driving test for manual

I took my trailer test earlier in the year in my dad's jeep which is an automatic, and am legaly able to tow with a manual or an automatic

However they were talking about changing that rule, but I don't think they ever did (did my test in June/July)

 

[rambling]

Yes I tow with a Jeep Grand Cherokee as well but its 2.7 litre, it has a manual mode for towing and I do put it into the Low Box if I am going into a mucky field though, not sure if that is right or not , but it does the job.

A friend has a Discovery Automatic and regularly pulls 2 large horses and finds it good.

It feels fine I just don't like the idea that I'm somehow not driving it.

 

[becca1305]

Yup tow with a merc ML CDI auto tows nicely far more power than my mitsi sport shogun 2.5 doesnt struggle with hills as much etc. But my mitsi has half offroad tyres handles fields better than the merc and is the one I would want to be in offroad in bad weather and handles icy roads better i think. Swings and roundabouts no idea about trailer test in an auto would have thought you could unless they dont want people with automatic car licences only towing!

 

[TheCurlyPony]

Hi

I also tow with a Jeep 4.7L Auto, Ive never had any problems, personally I think it gives a smoother ride as theres no messing aound with gear changes, starting off on a hill etc.

 

[rossiroo]

Yes I have always found automatics the best for towing, nice smooth ride for the horse.

 

[yellowpony]

I found my automatic gave a much smoother ride for the horses, mine was a 4 x 4 (3 litre Audi Quattro) and was brilliant on roads and in fields, in fact got out of fields towing when conventional 4 x 4's were being towed out by tractor. Was brilliant on icy roads too.

 

[muffinmunsh]

I tow with an automatic. Think it gives them a nice, smooth ride. And they are not complaining ... Practically load themselves
No idea re trailer tests...

 

[Circe]

I tow with a discovery auto, and its brilliant, it dosn't even notice the load.
OH told me I have to use the gears though, not just put it in drive. Not sure if thats just our year disco though ?
Kx

 

[DragonSlayer]

I've always preferred to tow with a manual, feel in better control of speed, handling etc. especially on the hills. I know a few people who are happy with automatics though.

...and the horses get just a smooth a ride in a manual, if you use the gears correctly....

 

[Tnavas]

Automatics are the best vehicle for towing - much smoother and better for the engine. Best to get an additional cooling unit fitted though to extend engine life.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

There is no problem towing in an automatic . I tow my caravan in my auto .


the only thing to remember if you have it

YOU MUST NOT TOW IN OVER DRIVE ONLY DRIVE you will bugger your gear box.

 

[Bess]

Yes I tow with an automatic 4x4, but as Leviathan said, I switch off the overdrive which is left on for normal driving.

 

[cheekywelshie]

Thanks for all the feedback I will contact the test driving places to find out more about the towing test. In the meantime I will go and test drive a few 4x4s- only ever driven small Peugeot 107 so bit nervous!!

 

[kezimac]

yes i love my auto - much prefer to a manual - much smoother ride for horse too

 

[Old Bat]

I was very grumpy when we swapped our manual disco for an auto, but it was the best decision ever! Brilliant for towing.

 

[cheekywelshie]

So next question which auto 4x4 do you have? Was looking at KIA sorrento- though apparently theyre not great on roundabouts and we have lots of roundabouts in miltin keynes! My dad has a jeep Cherokee 2.8 auto that I may have a go in next week!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I looked at the reviews on honest john about all the 4x4 I like the Nissan Terrano can get out out of any plowed field where as the xtrail like the bmw 4x4 is just a urban 4x4 the nissan terrano has a separate axle.

this is what he says about mine

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/nissan/terrano-ii-1993/

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/

Though have to say its been brilliant on the roads i feel very safe and its got very good breaks as a few of my friends found out when i showed them lol

 

[MagicMelon]

We pull our trailer with a VW Toureg which is automatic (although can make it manual but never do). Never have any probs with it at all, pulls perfectly. The only thing Id watch is to make sure the 4x4 is powerful enough to pull happily or else you might struggle going up steep hills as you cant change down a gear!

 

[ROG]

You can take your trailer test in an automatic and be able to tow with a manual or auto, provided that you have your initial car driving test for manual

I took my trailer test earlier in the year in my dad's jeep which is an automatic, and am legaly able to tow with a manual or an automatic

However they were talking about changing that rule, but I don't think they ever did (did my test in June/July)

The rules have always been and currently are -
If you have manual B and take BE test in an auto then you can only legally drive BE auto

If you then pass a higher grade +E licence in a manual (LGV C1E CE or PCV D1E DE) then while that licence is current the BE manual is covered

DO NOT DRIVE A MANUAL B+E IF YOU ONLY PASSED AN AUTO B+E TEST
There should be a code 78 (restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission) next to the B+E on the photocard but if DVLA missed putting that on it then it still exists in law

Al this info can be verified by calling DVLA licencing section on 01792 782 341

 

[Daisy11]

Yes you can we use our range rover sport to pull trailers of all kinds horse , boat trailers and normal trailers

 

[golden_revolution]

We tow with an Auto Jeep Cherokee, it's fab, don't know you're pulling!

 

[china]

What is the over drive :-0 ???

I tow with an auto disco! its fab, nice and smooth and doesnt even notice the box on the back!! It just abit slow ;-)
Towing can put quite a strain on clutches on big cars and small 4x4's

 

[Mahoganybay]

Just towed with my new to me 2005 Kia Sorento automatic, it was brilliant, gave a really smooth ride and at times felt that we werent even pulling a trailer, i have an Ifor 510 and my mare weighs in at 500kg.

For years i had a Nissan Terrano LWB on a manual gearbox, had been really happy with and owned it 7 years, only changed as the MOT Advisory note was a shocker....

Did lots of research on 4x4 and choose the Kia Sorento, i quite like the amont of car you get for your money and it feels very 'posh' compared to the Terrano.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Over drive is a higher gear

here is one of my over drive buttons


with the drive button underneath (D)

 

[only_me]

The rules have always been and currently are -
If you have manual B and take BE test in an auto then you can only legally drive BE auto

If you then pass a higher grade +E licence in a manual (LGV C1E CE or PCV D1E DE) then while that licence is current the BE manual is covered

DO NOT DRIVE A MANUAL B+E IF YOU ONLY PASSED AN AUTO B+E TEST
There should be a code 78 (restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission) next to the B+E on the photocard but if DVLA missed putting that on it then it still exists in law

Al this info can be verified by calling DVLA licencing section on 01792 782 341

I can legally tow a trailer with a manual - I checked it with the DVLA, the driving instructor and exaiminer. I hold the manual car driving test so am perfectly legal to tow!
The fact that I am in NI may be part of the difference